GOT TO DANCE: East Lancs academy team in TV talent show

A DANCE troupe from Pendle is gearing up to star in a Sky television show with a grand prize of £250,000.

Rock-It, formed by members of the Helen Green Academy of Dance in Colne, will feature in the latest series of national talent show Got To Dance.

The group passed its Manchester audition with flying colours and spent a day in London filming their military-themed routine for the cameras.

Helen Green, 38, said the idea of Rock-It was conceived to take part in the commemorations surrounding the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War.

She said: “The idea came about when someone bought a poppy off one of the Royal British Legion members who mentioned the commemorations.

“I asked everyone if they knew about their family's involvement and they all said 'no'. Then they went away and researched it and came back with a host of stories. We found out about people’s relatives from as far away as Scotland, Grimsby and Southampton. We’re keen to spread the message everywhere we go about the importance of the history aspect, not just the dancing.”

The group, made up of 22 girls and two boys aged between nine and 16, is based at the Ambulance Hall, Midgley Street, Colne, and has performed at a host of events this year since rehearsals began in January, including yesterday’s Trawden Agricultural Show. Helen, who describes the group’s style as ‘military swing’, said they felt like stars during filming in London.

She said: “We couldn’t use First World War music because nobody recognised it.

“When we were in London a lot of people, especially the elderly, stopped to talk to us because of the outfits we were wearing. We were certainly turning a lot of heads.

“I can’t say how we progress until the show is screened. I’ve signed a contract and I’m sworn to secrecy!”

Got To Dance, hosted by Davina McCall with Ashley Banjo and Kimberly Wyatt as judges, started on Saturday night and Rock-It expect to feature during August 24.